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Dresses available for young women in need April 12 and 13

Tracy Ranick, left, and Beth Fudge, of Sarnia Lambton Business Development Corporation, watch as Debbie Anderson, of Cinderella Story of Sarnia-Lambton, looks at a dress in the mirror recently. Cinderella Story will once again be offering dresses to graduating Grade 8 and 12 students on April 12 and 13. (BARBARA SIMPSON, The Observer)

If Debbie Anderson had a magic wand, she’d ensure every young woman had the perfect dress for their graduation or prom.

Instead, she and a group of volunteers run the Cinderella Story of Sarnia-Lambton, a fairy godmother-like group who distribute donated dresses to young women who are in need.

The group, started by Anderson and her daughter in 2009, has seen a steady increase in the number of girls they’ve been able to help over the years.

In 2012, a total of 56 local girls walked away with dresses for their graduations and proms.

Organizers credit their growth to now having a permanent location at the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation (SLBDC) on Durand Street. This has allowed the public to drop off dresses year round.

“Word gets around that we’re there,” Anderson said.

Organizers are still running a two-week dress drive from March 15 to 29. Young women are then invited to pick their own dresses at SLBDC April 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and April 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

But for these young women, organizers say it isn’t only about their outfits.

“It’s so much more than the dress,” said volunteer Tracy Ranick. “It’s about being able to fully participate in that milestone moment...”

Last year a girl who missed a similar dress drive in her city drove from London. It turns out she went to Ranick’s former high school.

“It’s just a nice feeling for the volunteers because there’s that personal interaction with the girls and seeing the smiles...” she said.

Another girl who picked up a dress came back to make a donation of $20. It had been her budget for prom.

“I just turned around and looked at everyone,” Anderson said. “You can’t even buy mascara for $15 any more.”

All sizes, colours and styles of dresses are accepted. Organizers just ask that dresses be from 2009 or newer. New jewellery, makeup, drycleaning bags and gift certificates for alterations are also being accepted.

Donations can be dropped off at the SLBDC office, all Sarnia Libro branches, the Mooretown Sports Complex and the North Lambton Community Health Centre.

Young women in need of dresses are encouraged to pre-register for the event. Visit cinderellasarnia.org for more information.